Dry kiln



Oct. 23, 1923.

J. F. HANRAHAN DRY KILN" Filed Dec. 16 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. F. HANRAHAN Oct. 23 1923.

DRY KILN Filed DeO. 16 1918 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @CL 2s, 1923. www@ J. F. HANRAHAN DRY KILN Filed Dec. 15 1918 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 YPatented ct. 23, 1923?.Y j Y tarea JosIrPII Hii'itmirmiv, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS- DRY KILN. f

Application led December 16V, 1918. `SerialNo.v 266,928. n

T 0 all whom t may concern: e Y Be itknown that I, JOSEPH F. I-IANRAHAN,

a citizen of the United Sta-,tearesiding at Y Yfollowing description with reference to the Chicago, in t-he county of Cook'an'd State of Illinois, have invented a certain newV and useful Improvement in Dry Kilns, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had'to the accompanying drawings. forming apart of this specification. Y g

The invention relates to dry kilns and has as its object the production of an arrangement whereby the air currents circulating in the kiln are directed in their course so as to cause the same to be properly brought under the influence of the means employed to cause this circulation, without resulting in the.V

air currents colliding Awith eachk other or with other portions ofthe kiln during their circulation. l

The invent-ion has a further object the provision of an arrangement whereby the relative humidity of the air in the kiln may be varied and maintained,`which results in that the pores nearest the outer surface `of the product being dried Vare vheld open during the process or" drying so that! the core, as Well as its surface may be relieved, of its moisture without causing the commodity to become split or checked, which would in some Vinstancesv materially reduce thereommercial value thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to .arrange the means employed for l'iumidify-r ing the atmosphereY in the kiln at a point at which its proper operation is insured,

which will thus naturally increase the eiiiciency of the kiln. Y Y

The invention has among other objects the provision of an arrangement whereby the filling of the condensing means with the condensing Huid is insured, thereby insuring its proper operation.

The construction also contempla-tes the use of a simple and effect-ive arrangement where- A by the condenser may be flushed to remove any sediment or other foreign matter thorefrom without impairing its operation dur-V ing this period.

y It is a further object of the invention to provide certain valves with an indicating means so that the device may be accurately controlled.

The inventionwillbe explained in the drying of wood, although the arrangement will be found equally eective `in the drying of yvarious other products, either of the 'soil or those found in the arts or industries. LIt is understood that the manner of operating of the kilnwill vary according to the product -to Abe dried, depending uponits porosity, density, ymass or form. The v arrangement has been found to eifectually and economically dry leather, fruits, vegetables and other products, without impairingv their color, flavor, or aroma.

The invention has these and other objects, all of which will be eXplainedin detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which,-

Fig. l is a longitudinal central section of a kiln embodying the invention; Y

Fig. 2 is a cross section on line 2 2 of Fig. l; Y Y

Figs. 3 and 4 arecross sectional views of kilns showing modified arrangements ywhich may be resorted to; f i

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of the humidifying pipes; and

Fig. 6V is a detail of .anL indicating valve used in the construction.

-material to be dried Vor. other conditions which may arise. These'various arrange-V ments may be resorted tor without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

.The inventionas illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 will be explained in detail, it being obvious Vvthat the structures therein shown may be variously combined with other structures of kilns, for instance such as shown in Figs. 3 and 41:.y

In the embodimentof the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, drying chambers 10 and l1 are 'y shown separated by a condensing chamber 12 which is herein illustrated as composed of the separated walls 13 and 14,-

which terminate a suitable distance from the ceiling and the hoor of the kiln, forming spaces 15 and 16 through which the air will enter the condensing` chamber and pass.

therefrom duringits circulation.

At the'inlet and outlet of the condensing chamber Vare arrangedpthe deecting members 17 and 18 which entend the full length of the condensing apparatus in the kilnand are preferably curved or otherwise shaped to direct the air currents in their proper course.' The uppermost one of these members has 17, is arranged as shown in Fig. 2 at a point where the air currents would naturally collide with each other as they circulate towards the condensing apparatus'from the drying chambers. rEhe condenser is in this instance arranged'in the center of the kiln between the drying chambers. The lowermost one of these deflectors suehas 18,7is provided for the purpose of preventing the air which descends by virtue of its `being cooled by the condensing coils generally d esignated 19,y from abruptlyL colliding with the floor of the kiln and alsoto properly direct this cooled air into thel path ofthe means employed Vfor increasing the `humid-r ity of the air contained in the chambers 10 and 11. The means herein employed whereby the humidity in the drying chambers may be increased contemplates the use of steam conveyed by one or more perforated pipes 2O and E217 which -in the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are arranged upon each Lvside of the condensing chamber and at the juncture of the condensing chamber and-the dryinqchambers 10 and 1.1. The pipes 20 and 21 maybe arranged atany other suitable position relative tothe condensing apparatus. As illustrated one yof'these pipes eX- tends only throughout part of the length of the chamber, the other extending the whole length thereof, each feeding a portion of the kiln. rl`hese pipes may each be provided with a valve such as 22 having any suitable indicator 23 cooperatively arrangedthere-V with so that the operator may determine and regulate the flow of fluid therefrom and thereby regulate the humidity in the chainbers 10 and 11. V

Each of the chambers 10 and 11 is further provided with heating pipes 2li-211 which are elevated a suitable distance above the licor of the kiln and somewhatabove the pipes 20 and 21, thus .forming another chamber in which the cooled air and steam emitted. from the condensing chamber and pipes 2O and 21 may be temporarily conned before it comes in contact with the heating pipe @1 -24, which causes same to ascend'into the drying chambers 10 and 11.

AThe perforations in the pipes 20 and 21 are arranged so as to properly direct the steam towards the chamber below the heating pipes 24M-24 and into the path of the cooled air as it is emitted from the condensing cha-mber. From the foregoing description it can readily be seen that the air contained in the vdrying chambers 10 and 11 will be caused to rise by virtue of the heating means Q12l and as saine comes'into contact with the coiioensing coils 19, it is cooled and relieved of some of its moisture. This relative difference oftemperature causes this air to descend towards the space or opening 17 where it is directed by the deflector 18 towards thechaniber below the heating pipes 2e-24, and consequently into the path of the steam emitted from the pipes 20 and 21, andV again brought into contact with the heatingv pipes 24k-24, heated and caused to again ascend. VThis circulation of airis continued' until the commodity is sufficiently relieved of its moisture to be in condition for the use to whichit is to be put.

As before stated the coils 19 may be arranged between walls such as 13 and 14, or not, as seen fit. When walls are employed, theuppermost portion thereof as Q5, will be hingedly or otherwise secured so as to permit of access to the coils 19,'should this at any time be found necessary.

' These `coils 19 will preferably be arranged having the indicating valve 30. whereby the flow and consequent temperature of the cool-y ing ymedium may be regulated. rThis valve maybe arranged either within or without the kiln as found convenient or desirable.

A pipe 31 leads from each of these sels of coils and each is provided with a pipe connection 32 which extends upwardly above tbe'upjermostpipe of the Acoils 19. and thencey again downwardly, as indicated at yThis last mentioned pipe connection is provided with a thermometer 341 to determine ythe temperature of the condensing liquid in the coils 19 and a valve 35 to control the flow of liquidfroni the coils. The ends ofthese pipe connections 33 are arranged so that they may emptv into the funnel v36 and carry olfithc lioiiid to anv suitable drain. y l I if The structure including ther pipes 32 and 33 forms a simple and effective arrangement whereby it may readily be determined whether the coils 19 are completely filled with liquid or not, as it is evident that no liquid will flow from the pipe 33 unless all of the pipes forming the coils 19 are completely filled, because of the' fact that the uppermost portion of these pipes 32 and 33 terminate above the uppermost pipe ing the coils. The pipe' connections 31 `also empty intothe funnel 36 and are each 'prof vided `with Va valve 37 which is normally closed and vonly opened when it isdesired to "flushl the coils 19 to remove any sediment or foreign mattei' which may have collected y therein. It is evident that when these'valves are opened the' fluid vin the coils may pass therethrough without-any restriction, which will remove any matter which has pre-` the condensation from the pipes and to convey it to another trough having the pipe connection 46 which in turn empties into the funnel 36. 'n A j Ihen the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is utilized then one of the walls as 14,

will be provided with an opening adjacent the thermometer 34, and valves 35 andv 37..

rIhis opening Will have a closure which Will permit of access to saidvalves or thermometer, to control and determine the operation ot the coils 19.l I

In the structure shown in Fig. 3 the drying chamber 38 is arranged between the condensing chambers 39-39 as are the de- Vfiectors 40 and 41. kThe pipes 42 and 43 for increasing thev humidity in the drying chamber occupyfthe Vsame relative position to the condensing chamber as similar pipes shown in Figs.` 1 and 2. In the structure shown in Fig. 3 the same elements are utilized and only dinerin thatthey are positioned differently with relation to each other. The structure illustrated in Fig. 4 shows the condensing chamber 42 and the humidor arranged upon rone side of the structure, and the drying chamber 43 `arranged upon the other. Various other arrangements may be resorted to, depending upon the conditions which may arise. The indicating' valves 22 and 30 may be of yany suitabledesign. That herein shown contemplates the use ot a disc 45 having degrees ot' a circle indicated thereon. This disc is fastened to any suitable stationary portion of the valve and positioned to permit the indicating finger 46 to cooperate therewith. This finger will .be secured to someiportion of the valve handle so that it will move therewith to indicate the degree Which the valve vis opened or closed.

By the arrangement of the defiectors it can readily be seen that the air currents are prevented from colliding With each other during their circulation, and that the same are directed inA their'proper course,"which` naturally increases. the eficiency of a dryl ing apparatus, alsothat th'e'means for supplying the'humidityl is arranged at a point kat which it will `be properly introduced into the drying'chamber. The material to be 'zey dried may be introduced 'into the kiln upon trucks, or in any other suitable manner depending upon lthe particular article te kbe dried. Forinstance, when leather is beingA dried, same may be supported within the.- chamber upon supports either permanently arranged in the kiln or not, as seen fit.

It is obvious that the invention is susceptible of various comblnatlons and arrange-y ments rwhich may be vresorted to, Without dev parting from the spirit ofthe invention or the scope ofthe appended claims.k

Having thus shown and described the invention, What I claim and desire to lcover `by Letters Patent, is:

1. vIn a dry kiln the combination of a pair of drying chambers,y heating means arranged Y adjacent the lowermost portion of said drying chambers, another chamber arranged between thefirst mentioned chambers and eoy in Vcommunication therewith, a condenser ar- Y ranged in and adjacent the uppermost portion of the second mentioned chamber, air current defiectors` arranged at the opposite ends ofl said second mentioned chamber and bers and the second mentionedchambers.

2. A dry kiln having a condenser, means for filling the condenser with fluid, a cona humidifier arranged below the heating means at the juncture ofsaid drying chamico nection leading from the lowermost portion V of the condenser, said connection permitting the fluid to pass VfromV the condenser only when said condenser is filled, said condenser having a connection whereby the first mentioned connectionr and the condenser may be flushed.

3,. In a dry kiln the combination of a drying chamber, a condensing chamber having condensing means therein, heating means and a humidifier, the humiditier arranged all cooperatively arranged to cause a circulation of air currents from the Vdrying chamber to Ythe condensing chamber, and said humidifier having means for regulating ilo f between the condensing and heating means, I

same.

4. In a dry kiln, the combination of drying chamber, a condensingineans, and a heating means cooperativelyl arranged` to cause a'circulation of air currents from the heating means through the chamber and to- Wards the condenser, and a humidifier arranged to direct a jet of steam towards the space in which the heatingmeans is confined, Y

said humidifier being arranged at a location at which the air currents leave the condenser and pass towards the heating means. Y

5. In a dry kiln,-the combination of a drying chamber, a condensing. means, and a positioned to drectvthe steam towards the heating means cooperatively arranged `to space in which the heating means is con- 10 cause a circulation vof air currents fromthe ned. n l heating means through the chamber and tot n Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe s Wards the condenser, and a humder aI- my name this 13thY day of December, A. D.; j

ranged to direct a jet of steam in the path of 1918. v

the air currents between thecondenser and Y the Yheating means said humider ybeing A JOSEPH F. HANRAHAN. 

